Zendaya’s Gladiator Sandals Revive a 2010s Trend for The Odyssey.

Zendaya turned a New York hotel exit into a referendum on summer footwear. In July 2026, just days before The Odyssey reaches theaters, Zendaya’s gladiator sandals look replaced barely-there minimalism with knee-high cords, archival fashion, and enough visual drama to restart a trend conversation.

Zendaya gladiator sandals paired with archival Sophia Webster heels and a white, gold-trimmed tunic from Alberta Ferretti’s Spring 2008 collection. Styled by Law Roach during The Odyssey press tour, the outfit gives a dormant 2010s shoe category a powerful celebrity trigger. It also arrives after several summers dominated by restrained flip-flops.

Which Gladiator Sandals Did Zendaya Wear?

Zendaya wore knee-high Sophia Webster gladiator heels built from pewter-colored cords that wrapped repeatedly around her calves. A slim stiletto sharpened the silhouette, while the open construction kept the shoes visibly linked to classical sandal forms.

According to Vogue’s report on Zendaya’s archival footwear, Jennifer Lopez previously wore the same Sophia Webster design in 2014. Therefore, the shoes belong directly to the style’s last major celebrity cycle rather than representing a new invention.

Why the Height Changed the Entire Outfit

A simple metallic sandal would have supported the tunic without challenging it. However, the knee-high construction made the footwear the central event.

Every loop of cord remained visible below the short hem. Consequently, the shoes created their own architecture against the leg.

The stiletto also prevented the look from becoming a literal costume—instead, the combination balanced warrior imagery with the polished proportions of celebrity dressing.

One pair of shoes turned a mythological press look into a test of whether fashion is ready for complicated sandals again.

The styling also belongs within Zendaya’s broader archive of major fashion moments. She and Roach frequently use vintage pieces to build a narrative. Yet their strongest looks continue working after the film reference disappears.

Key Takeaways

• Zendaya wore archival Sophia Webster heels previously seen on Jennifer Lopez during a public appearance in 2014.
• The Alberta Ferretti tunic came from Spring 2008 and featured layered gold-chain decoration across its white fabric.
• Zendaya revealed the look in New York on July 13, shortly before The Odyssey’s July 14 premiere.

How Did Zendaya’s Outfit Reference The Odyssey?

The outfit referenced The Odyssey through its white tunic silhouette, metallic ornament, and warrior-like lacing. Rather than copying a historical costume, the styling translated classical imagery into contemporary fashion.

The Zendaya Odyssey press tour has repeatedly used draping, pale fabrics and sculptural forms to connect clothing with the film’s mythological world. In this case, the shoes supplied the clearest thematic cue, while the archival dress softened their harder structure.

Why Alberta Ferretti Was the Right Archive Choice

The Alberta Ferretti Spring 2008 tunic featured a deep neckline and softly ruffled white fabric. Meanwhile, tiered gold chains draped across the front, and a gold waist detail gave the loose garment structure.

Harper’s Bazaar’s account of the New York look also identified silver Fope earrings and a glossy, curly bixie hairstyle. Together, those details controlled the palette while allowing the dress and shoes to carry the narrative.

The vintage Alberta Ferretti piece resembled a modernized chiton, yet it avoided heavy-handed symbolism. Because the chains already created a jewelry effect, Roach did not need to add a crown, breastplate, or theatrical prop.

That restraint explains why Zendaya’s method of dressing remains influential. The clothes create a parallel visual idea rather than reproducing a screen costume. In turn, the audience understands the reference without losing sight of the fashion.

Are Zendaya’s Gladiator Sandals Bringing the Trend Back in 2026?

The Zendaya gladiator sandals moment does not prove a mass-market comeback by itself. However, it gives the category the kind of high-visibility image that can accelerate an emerging runway and retail shift.

The gladiator sandal trend dominated parts of the late 2000s and early to mid 2010s. During that period, ankle wraps, calf-high straps, and cage constructions appeared across designer collections and celebrity wardrobes.

Then, minimalist thong sandals and nearly invisible flip-flops took over the summer conversation. Zendaya’s return to elaborate lacing offers a sharp alternative to that reduction.

Why the Timing Favors a Revival

Fashion rarely revives a divisive item in the same form. Instead, designers adjust its proportion, material, or styling until the older category feels newly useful.

Zendaya’s version retains the dramatic height. However, its muted pewter cords and clean white dress reduce the visual clutter associated with earlier versions.

The wider fashion cycle also favors statement footwear. Bohemian dresses, low-rise denim, and oversized bags have returned, so elaborate sandals no longer feel culturally isolated.

Consequently, celebrity shoe trends 2026 can move beyond quiet flats without requiring shoppers to abandon comfort entirely. Flat and mid-calf interpretations can preserve the visual idea while offering easier movement.

Zendaya did not simply revive an archive piece; she gave a dormant footwear category a deadline.

Should brands react quickly, late-summer releases and Resort 2027 collections could transform the image into a retail proposition. For broader analysis of how celebrity wardrobes shape demand, Runway’s Celebrity Style hub follows the movement from a photographed look to a repeatable fashion idea.

How Can Gladiator Sandals Look Modern Rather Than Costumed?

Gladiator sandals look current when the rest of the outfit remains controlled. Clean clothing, a limited palette, and restrained accessories allow the lacing to function as structure rather than decoration.

Zendaya’s look offers the clearest formula. A short white tunic exposed the full height of the shoes. Meanwhile, gold and pewter created contrast without introducing several competing colors.

The dress’s soft movement also balanced the harder geometry around the legs. As a result, neither the tunic nor the shoes overwhelmed the other.

Three Ways the Shape Can Translate to Everyday Style

Flat ankle-high versions offer the easiest entry point. They preserve the strapped effect without demanding the commitment of knee-high heels.

Mid-calf designs create greater impact, particularly when paired with a column skirt or plain summer dress. Alternatively, metallic cords can update the idea without relying on brown leather or overt historical references.

The Grecian fashion trend becomes less wearable when every component repeats the theme. Therefore, one strong reference is enough.

A wrapped sandal can work with modern tailoring, denim shorts, or a simple knit dress. It does not need draped white fabric to communicate its identity.

The important distinction is between inspiration and reenactment. Zendaya’s outfit evokes Athena without asking viewers to mistake a Manhattan sidewalk for a film set.

What Does the Look Mean for the Rest of Summer 2026?

The strongest test will come after The Odyssey press cycle ends. Search demand, retailer arrivals and additional celebrity sightings will show whether renewed interest survives beyond Zendaya’s hotel exit.

The shoes are unlikely to eliminate the need for minimalist sandals. Instead, they may create a second lane for shoppers seeking visible construction, height, and drama.

That division would mirror the broader market, where quiet basics and theatrical accessories increasingly coexist. Moreover, it would give retailers a fresh footwear story before attention moves fully toward fall.

For the Zendaya gladiator-sandals effect to become durable, designers must translate the fantasy into accessible prices and more wearable proportions. Resort 2027 and Spring 2027 collections will reveal whether fashion treats the appearance as a one-day image or the beginning of a genuine footwear shift.

For continuing coverage of celebrity wardrobes, archival fashion, and trends moving from press tours into everyday style, follow Runway Magazine.